To be a colleague of Dr Byrne was to gain real insight into the life of Sir William Osler. By working long hours and being constantly on call, she was the beloved physician to many thousands of patients – by an extraordinary organisation of her life she made Cushing's account of Osler seem feasible. Her charm and genuine interest in a family could make a short drop-in visit seem a long visitation; she would learn and remember the anniversaries of the staff with whom she was associated, including married Resident Medical Officers.
Born at Currabubula where her father was schoolmaster, she graduated in 1918, and she came to study pathology. She was resident pathologist, then honorary pathologist, to Royal Newcastle Hospital. However, her love of people made her change course and she obtained her Membership of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 1943, leading to her appointment as staff physician.
She had her admitting day to general wards, was the physician to the infectious diseases hospital at Waratah, and ran an enormous chest clinic, with one session going long hours into the night. When the 100 bed sanatorium opened at Rankin Park, she was the sole physician. Dr Byrne would have completed rounds on sick patients before 8am; she would do rounds late each night. She knew everything that was going on in the wards. Having glanced at a patient and his displayed chart as she passed his bed, `I must speak to Dr --------; that seaman admitted yesterday may well have typhoid'. That afternoon the patient would be under her care, his ship in quarantine, and another epidemic aborted.
She had a vast experience of a wide range of diseases. She read what mattered in the literature, garnering pointers to the relevant from frequent brief encounters throughout the day with many colleagues of all disciplines who were her friends.